By Chidi Onyechukwu Uwabuofu
Rev. Dr. Joy Anwuli Nwachukwu Hortons James is an inspiring Nigerian-American woman who has achieved tremendous success both personally and professionally. She is a beacon of hope for many, and her life story is a testimony to the power of hard work, perseverance, and faith.
Born in Umutu, in the Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria, Rev. Dr. Joy is the second child of her parents, Professor S.N.D. Opia and Mrs. Elizabeth Opia. She has three siblings and is married to Chief Hortons James, with whom she has six children and two grandchildren.
Rev. Dr. Joy’s journey to success has been a long and challenging one, but she has never lost sight of her goals. She attended Ugbeleme Primary School Umutu and St. Georges College Obinomba, where she obtained her school leaving and secondary school certificates, respectively. She then went on to study accounting at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, before gaining admission to the University of Maryland in the United States, where she obtained a B.Sc. degree in Accounting. She pursued further studies, earning dual master’s degrees, Master of Science in Human Resources and Master of Business Administration, respectively, all from the University of Maryland in 2007. Later in 2017, she obtained another master’s degree, Master of Divinity from Payne Theological Seminary school, and also holds a Doctorate Degree PhD, Family Science from the University of Maryland.
Rev. Dr. Joy is a compassionate, caring, and empathetic person who has dedicated her life to helping others. She is a communicator, life coach, teacher, mentor, musician, actress, choreography expert, and author. She is also a former Professor of Mathematics at the University of the District of Columbia.
Rev. Dr. Joy is the founder and Executive Director of the Compatriot Organization for Advancement & Development, which provides humanitarian services, such as education, health assistance, life skills, human rights, and care for the widows, orphans, the less privileged, and young people throughout the nation and internationally.
Despite her many achievements and accolades, Rev. Dr. Joy remains humble and down-to-earth. She shuns the limelight and lives a simple life, even as she clears the bills for those who have no way of ever repaying her, and funding the education of several other people.
Rev. Dr. Joy’s philanthropic activities are a testament to her selflessness and generosity. She has a heart for the underprivileged people of Nigeria, particularly in Ukwuani nation where she hails from. She is a kind and compassionate individual who has been actively involved in various philanthropic activities to help the less privileged in our communities. On January 28, 2019, she generously donated 5,000 Naira each to almost 2,000 to 3,000 widows from Umutu and neighboring villages. Not only that, but she also killed cows and shared them with the widows, which was a great source of joy and comfort for them.
On April 15, 2022, she extended her generosity to Ukwuani widows by donating 3 million Naira to be shared among them. Her kind gesture went a long way in putting smiles on the faces of the widows and providing them with much-needed financial assistance.
On November 19, 2022, she visited Ugbeleme Primary School and distributed school supplies to all the students. She further went on to give scholarships to some of the students who had done well in their classes. This act of kindness and encouragement served as a great motivation for the students to work harder towards achieving their academic goals.
In January 2020, during the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, she showed great concern for the vulnerable people in Ukwuani by sending 5,000 dollars back home for food items. She also shared money with those who were hit hardest by the lockdown, providing them with much-needed financial support during a difficult time.
Rev. Dr. Joy has also been sponsoring the education of indigent students in higher institutions in Nigeria. Her efforts have yielded great results, as some of the beneficiaries have graduated and are now working as doctors, pharmacists, engineers, and other professionals.
Her philanthropic gestures have touched the lives of many Ukwuani people directly and indirectly, and she continues to be an inspiration to us all. Her commitment to helping the less privileged is truly inspiring and worthy of emulation. So, let’s appreciate and support her in her noble cause, and encourage her to do more for our people.
